CLEMSON, S.C. — Cade Klubnik read the comments on social media.
He heard the chatter around him, about how he simply wasn’t good enough to be the starting quarterback for the Clemson Tigers. He heard fans clamoring for coach Dabo Swinney to tap the transfer portal and find a quality replacement.
It was all coming to a head after Klubnik’s sophomore season in 2023, a year in which the Tigers struggled early but closed with five straight wins to finish 9-4. While that might be considered a good season for some schools, it was a down year for Clemson, snapping a streak of 12 straight double-digit win seasons and leaving the Tigers out of the College Football Playoff for the second straight year.
There were questions about whether Clemson’s run was over, and much of the blame fell on Klubnik’s shoulders after throwing just 19 touchdown passes with nine interceptions that season.
Antonio Williams, who figures to be Klubnik’s primary target in the passing game, said off the field his quarterback is «kind of laid back and goofy.» But Williams said Klubnik was all business last season.
«He’s definitely growing up a lot,» Williams said. «When it comes to leadership, he’s definitely been more vocal and he has the respect of all the guys in the locker room. So when he speaks, everybody listens. That respect has gone a long way for him.»
Swinney called Klubnik an «amazing human being» and he continues to believe in him, perhaps on a run to the Tigers’ first national title since 2018.
«He’s got a lot of great days ahead,» Swinney said. «And you need a little luck, you know. I know everybody wants to make all these predictions and things like that, but you predict your way in anything. You gotta go do it. I know this if if that guy stays healthy, we will have a chance. He’s gonna always give you a chance.»
